Self-standing tobacco pouch

ABSTRACT

A self-standing tobacco pouch formed from a pliable sheet material includes a bottom part forming a support foot to stand on a surface, a pouch wall extending from the bottom part to an entrance defined by an entrance rim, a curved or angled elongate shaping member, which is provided near or at a first rim part of the entrance rim to hold the first rim part in a curved or angled configuration. The shaping member has a bending stiffness which is larger than the bending stiffness of the sheet material. The entrance rim includes a second rim part located opposite to the first rim part. The second rim part is positionable in a first position at a distance from the first rim part to form an opened entrance and in a second position located in contact with the first rim part to form a closed entrance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the National Stage of International Application No.PCT/NL2014/050386, filed Jun. 13, 2014, which claims the benefit ofNetherlands Application No. NL 2010992, filed Jun. 17, 2013, thecontents of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a tobacco pouch formed from a pliable sheetmaterial. Such tobacco pouches are provided in different forms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A problem of the tobacco pouches is that it is difficult (especiallywith the use of only one hand) to reach the tobacco inside the tobaccopouch when the tobacco pouch is positioned on a surface, such as atable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The tobacco pouch according the invention provides an improved, or atleast alternative tobacco pouch. The tobacco pouch according theinvention is a self-standing tobacco pouch formed from a pliable sheetmaterial and comprising a bottom part forming a support foot to stand ona surface, a pouch wall extending from the bottom part to an entrancedefined by an entrance rim, a curved or angled elongate shaping member,which is provided near or at a first rim part of the entrance rim tohold the first rim part in a curved or angled configuration, wherein theshaping member has a bending stiffness which is larger than the bendingstiffness of the sheet material, the entrance rim comprises a second rimpart located opposite to the first rim part, the second rim part ispositionable in a first position wherein the second rim part is locatedat a distance from the first rim part to form an opened entrance and ina second position wherein the second rim part is located in contact withthe first rim part to form a closed entrance.

Due to the shaping member provided in the first rim part, the second rimpart has a natural tendency to be positioned in the first position or inthe second position. This is caused by the stiffness of the sheetmaterial and the fact the shaping member positions the first rim part ina curved or angled configuration. This facilitates a user to open andclose the tobacco pouch. It furthermore ensures that a closed entrancehas a natural tendency to remain closed and an opened entrance has anatural tendency to remain open. The fact that the tobacco pouch tendsto remain closed once it is closed, is beneficial to keep the tobaccofresh and also ensures that the tobacco remains in the tobacco pouchduring for example transport. The fact that the tobacco pouch tends toremain open once it is open, is beneficial for the user to reach thetobacco inside the tobacco pouch in an easy manner, especially in thesituation that the tobacco pouch is positioned on a surface and only onehand is used.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the curved or angled elongate shaping member is configured tohold its curved or angled configuration when the second rim part ispositioned in the first position and when the second rim part ispositioned in the second position.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the curved elongate shaping member is configured to hold itscurved configuration when the second rim part is positioned in the firstposition and when the second rim part is positioned in the secondposition.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the angled elongate shaping member is configured to hold itsangled configuration when the second rim part is positioned in the firstposition and when the second rim part is positioned in the secondposition.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the second rim part in the first position has a curvedconfiguration directed in the opposite direction of the curved or angledconfiguration of the shaping member. It is of course possible tomanually manipulate the form of the second rim part in the firstposition, such that it for example has a more or less angledconfiguration. Due to the stiffness of the sheet material, the secondrim part will naturally tend to take a curved configuration in the firstposition.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the second rim part in the second position has a curved orangled configuration directed in the same direction as the curved orangled configuration, respectively, of the shaping member.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the second rim part in the second position has a shape whichcorresponds to the shape of the shaping member.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the shaping member extends in the same direction as the firstrim part.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the shaping member comprises a first end, a second end and acentre section in the middle between the first end and second end, andthe centre section is located at a distance from a straight lineextending through the first end and second end.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the second rim part has a length and the distance between thefirst end and second end along said straight line is smaller than saidlength of the second rim part.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, besides the first end and second end, the rest of the shapingmember is located at a distance from said straight line.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, when seen in a direction perpendicular to said straight line,the centre section is located at a larger distance from said straightline when compared with the rest of the shaping member.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the shaping member has the shape of a continuous curve.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the shaping member comprises at least two member partsextending under an angle relative to each other.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the shaping member comprises a first member part and a secondmember part, and the first member part extends under an angle relativeto the second member part.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the shaping member comprises a first member part, secondmember part, and a third member part, the first member part extendsunder a first angle relative to the second member part, and the secondmember part extends under a second angle relative to the third memberpart.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the first angle equals the second angle.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, each of the member parts extends along a straight line.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, each of the member parts are curved.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, at least one of the member parts extends along a straightline.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, at least one of the member parts is curved.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the shaping member extends along between 35%-50% of the totallength of the entrance rim.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the pouch wall comprises a first wall part and a second wallpart, the first wall part and second wall part are sealed together at afirst wall rim and a second wall rim, each of the first wall rim andsecond wall rim extends from the bottom part until the entrance rim, andthe shaping member is located in the first wall part.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the shaping member extends along between 75% and 100% of thepart of the entrance rim formed by the first wall part.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the bottom part comprises a bottom rim surrounding an area ofsheet material.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the bottom rim comprises a first bottom rim part and a secondbottom rim part, each of the first bottom rim part and second bottom rimpart extends from the first wall rim until the second wall rim.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the bending stiffness of the shaping member is at least 2times larger than the bending stiffness of the sheet material.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the tobacco pouch comprises a zip-seal having a first zipstrip and a cooperating second zip strip.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the first zip strip is provided near or at the shapingmember.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the bending stiffness of the shaping member is larger thanthe bending stiffness of the first zip strip and larger than the bendingstiffness of the second zip strip.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the bending stiffness of the shaping member is at least 2times larger than the bending stiffness of the first zip strip and atleast 2 times larger than the bending stiffness of the second zip strip.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the bending stiffness of the first zip strip and the bendingstiffness of the second zip strip are both determined at roomtemperature.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the bending stiffness of the shaping member and the bendingstiffness of the sheet material are both determined at room temperature.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the entrance provides access to an inside space of thetobacco pouch, which inside space is defined by the bottom part and thepouch wall, and wherein tobacco is located in said inside space.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention, the tobacco pouch is formed from a single sheet of the sheetmaterial. This allow that the tobacco pouch is produced in a very fastand efficient manner. The shaping member and (if applicable) the sealstrip are added to the sheet material during the production of thetobacco pouch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention will be described by way of example only, with reference tothe accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding referencesymbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

the FIGS. 1-4 schematically show a view in perspective of a firstembodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to theinvention,

FIG. 5 schematically shows a view in perspective of the shaping memberof the self-standing tobacco pouch of FIG. 1-4,

FIG. 6 schematically shows a second embodiment of the self-standingtobacco pouch according to the invention,

FIG. 7 schematically shows a view in perspective of the shaping memberof the self-standing tobacco pouch of FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 schematically shows a third embodiment of the self-standingtobacco pouch according to the invention,

FIG. 9 schematically shows a view in perspective of the shaping memberof the self-standing tobacco pouch of FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 schematically shows a fourth embodiment of the self-standingtobacco pouch according to the invention,

FIG. 11 schematically shows a view in perspective of the shaping memberof the self-standing tobacco pouch of FIG. 10,

FIG. 12 schematically shows a bottom view of the folded out sheetmaterial of the self-standing tobacco pouch of FIG. 1-4, and

FIG. 13 schematically shows a fifth embodiment of the self-standingtobacco pouch according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The FIGS. 1-4 show a first embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch1 according to the invention. The self-standing tobacco pouch 1 isformed from a pliable sheet material 2. The tobacco pouch 1 comprises abottom part 3 forming a support foot 4 to stand on a surface 5. A pouchwall 6 extends from the bottom part 3 to an entrance 7 defined by anentrance rim 10. The entrance 7 provides access to an inside space ofthe tobacco pouch 1. The inside space is defined by the bottom part 3and the pouch wall 6. Tobacco is located in said inside space.

A curved elongate shaping member 9 is provided near a first rim part 11of the entrance rim 10 to hold the first rim part 11 in a curvedconfiguration. It is also possible that the shaping member 9 is providedat the first rim entrance part 11. The shaping member 9 has a bendingstiffness which is larger than the bending stiffness of the sheetmaterial 2.

The entrance rim 10 comprises a second rim part 12 located opposite tothe first rim part 11. The second rim part 12 is positionable in a firstposition 13 wherein the second rim part 12 is located at a distance fromthe first rim part 11 to form an opened entrance 7. This situation isshown in FIG. 4. The second rim part 12 can also be positioned in asecond position 14 wherein the second rim part 12 is located in contactwith the first rim part 11 to form a closed entrance 7. This situationis shown in the FIG. 1-3.

Due to the shaping member 9 provided in the first rim part 11, thesecond rim part 12 has a natural tendency to be positioned in the firstposition 13 or in the second position 14. This is caused by thestiffness of the sheet material 2 and the fact the shaping member 9positions the first rim part 11 in a curved configuration (or in anangled configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, 8 or 10). This facilitates auser to open and close the tobacco pouch 1. It furthermore ensures thata closed entrance 7 has a natural tendency to remain closed and anopened entrance 7 has a natural tendency to remain open.

As shown in the FIGS. 1 and 4, the curved elongate shaping member 9 isconfigured to hold its curved configuration when the second rim part 12is positioned in the first position 13 and when the second rim part 12is positioned in the second position 14.

The second rim part 12 in the first position 13 has a curvedconfiguration directed in the opposite direction of the curvedconfiguration of the shaping member 9. It is of course possible tomanually manipulate the form of the second rim part 12 in the firstposition 13, such that it for example has a more or less angledconfiguration. Due to the stiffness of the sheet material 2, the secondrim part 12 will naturally tend to take a curved configuration in thefirst position 13.

The second rim part 12 in the second position 14 has a curvedconfiguration directed in the same direction as the curved configurationof the shaping member 9. The shaping member 9 extends in the samedirection as the first rim part 11.

The shaping member 9 is attached to the sheet material 2. In otherexamples, the shaping member 9 is secured in a different manner, such asfolded and locked in the sheet material 2.

In FIG. 3, a top part 18 of the tobacco pouch 1 is folded toward thebottom part 3. This provides a compact configuration of the tobaccopouch 1 with a closed entrance 7.

The pouch wall 6 comprises a first wall part 31 and a second wall part32, the first wall part 31 and second wall part 32 are sealed togetherat a first wall rim 33 and a second wall rim 34, each of the first wallrim 33 and second wall rim 34 extends from the bottom part 3 until theentrance rim 10, and the shaping member 9 is located on the first wallpart 31.

An opening 8 is provided in the first wall part 31 and second wall part32 to suspend the tobacco pouch 1.

The bottom part 3 comprises a bottom rim 35 surrounding an area 36 ofsheet material 2.

The bottom rim 35 comprises a first bottom rim part 37 and a secondbottom rim part 38, wherein each of the first bottom rim part 37 andsecond bottom rim part 38 extends from the first wall rim 33 until thesecond wall rim 34.

The bending stiffness of the shaping member 9 is at least 2 times largerthan the bending stiffness of the sheet material 2. The tobacco pouch 1comprises a zip-seal 40 having a first zip strip 41 and a cooperatingsecond zip strip 42. The first zip strip 41 is provided near or at theshaping member 9. The bending stiffness of the shaping member 9 islarger than the bending stiffness of the first zip strip 41 and largerthan the bending stiffness of the second zip strip 42.

The bending stiffness of the shaping member 9 is at least 2 times largerthan the bending stiffness of the first zip strip 41 and at least 2times larger than the bending stiffness of the second zip strip 42.

The bending stiffness of the first zip strip 41 and the bendingstiffness of the second zip strip 42 are both determined at roomtemperature.

The bending stiffness of the shaping member 9 and the bending stiffnessof the sheet material 2 both are determined at room temperature.

FIG. 5 shows a view in perspective of the shaping member 9 of theself-standing tobacco pouch 1 of FIG. 1-4. The shaping member 9comprises a first end 21, a second end 22 and a centre section 23 in themiddle between the first end 21 and second end 22. The centre section 23is located at a distance from a straight line extending through thefirst end 21 and second end 22. The second rim part 12 has a length andthe distance between the first end 21 and second end 22 along saidstraight line is smaller than said length of the second rim part 12.Besides the first end 21 and second end 22, the rest of the shapingmember 9 is located at a distance from said straight line. When seen ina direction perpendicular to said straight line, the centre section 23is located at a larger distance from said straight line when comparedwith the rest of the shaping member 9. The shaping member 9 has theshape of a continuous curve.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch 1according to the invention. The tobacco pouch 1 differs from theembodiment shown in FIG. 1-3, in that it comprises an angled elongateshaping member 9, which is provided near the first rim part 11 of theentrance rim 10 to hold the first rim part 11 in an angledconfiguration. It is also possible that the shaping member 9 is providedat the first rim part 11.

The second rim part 12 in the second position 14 has an angledconfiguration directed in the same direction as the angled configurationof the shaping member 9. The second rim part 12 in the second position14 has a shape which corresponds to the shape of the shaping member 9.

The second rim part 12 will in the first position 13 have a curvedconfiguration directed in the opposite direction of the angledconfiguration of the shaping member 9.

FIG. 7 shows a view in perspective of the shaping member 9 of theself-standing tobacco pouch 1 of FIG. 6. The shaping member 9 comprisesa first member part 26A and a second member part 26B. The first memberpart 26A extends under an angle relative to the second member part 26B.Each of the member parts 26 extends along a straight line. In otherexamples, each of the member parts 26 are curved. It is also possiblethat at least one of the member parts 26 extends along a straight lineand/or at least one of the member part 26 is curved.

FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch 1according to the invention, and FIG. 9 shows a view in perspective ofthe shaping member 9 of said tobacco pouch 1. The tobacco pouch 1differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, in that the shaping member9 comprises a first member part 26A, second member part 26B, and a thirdmember part 26C. The first member part 26A extends under a first anglerelative to the second member part 26B, and the second member part 26Bextends under a second angle relative to the third member part 26C. Thefirst angle equals the second angle. In other examples, the first angleand second angle differ from each other.

FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch 1according to the invention, and FIG. 11 schematically shows a view inperspective of the shaping member 9 of said tobacco pouch 1. The tobaccopouch 1 differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, in that the shapingmember 9 comprises a first member part 26A, second member part 26B, athird member part 26C and a fourth member part 26D. The first memberpart 26A extends under a first angle relative to the second member part26B, the second member part 26B extends under a second angle relative tothe third member part 26C, and the third member part 26C extends under athird angle relative to the fourth member part 26D. The first angle, thesecond angle, and the third angle are equal to each other. In otherexamples, the first angle and/or second angle, and/or third angle differfrom each other.

FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of the folded out sheet material of theself-standing tobacco pouch of FIG. 1-4. The tobacco pouch 1 is formedfrom a single sheet of sheet material 2. The locations where the shapingmember 9, the first zip strip 41 and the second zip strip 42 will bepositioned are indicated. Also the to be formed first wall rim 33,second wall rim 34 and the bottom rim 35 surrounding the area 36 ofsheet material 2 are indicated.

FIG. 13 shows a fifth embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch 1according to the invention. The tobacco pouch 1 differs from theembodiment shown in FIG. 1-3, in that the sheet material 2 comprises aline 43 of weakened sheet material (for example formed by incisions madein the sheet material) extending between two locations on the second rimpart 12. This allows a user to tear off a part of the sheet material 2enclosed by the second rim part 12 and said line 43. The sheet material2 of the tobacco pouch 1 along said line 43, will in that case form partof the new second rim part 12. This is also applicable on otherembodiments of the tobacco pouch 1 according the invention, such as theembodiments shown in the FIG. 6-11.

The following clauses form a further description of the self-standingtobacco pouch according to the invention.

1. Self-standing tobacco pouch formed from a pliable sheet material,said tobacco pouch comprising;

-   -   a bottom part forming a support foot to stand on a surface,    -   a pouch wall extending from the bottom part to an entrance        defined by an entrance rim,    -   a curved or angled elongate shaping member, which is provided        near or at a first rim part of the entrance rim to hold the        first rim part in a curved or angled configuration, wherein    -   the shaping member has a bending stiffness which is larger than        the bending stiffness of the sheet material,    -   the entrance rim comprises a second rim part located opposite to        the first rim part,    -   the second rim part is positionable in a first position wherein        the second rim part is located at a distance from the first rim        part to form an opened entrance and in a second position wherein        the second rim part is located in contact with the first rim        part to form a closed entrance.

2. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to clause 1, wherein the curvedor angled elongate shaping member is configured to hold its curved orangled configuration when the second rim part is positioned in the firstposition and when the second rim part is positioned in the secondposition.

3. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to clause 1 or 2, wherein thesecond rim part in the first position has a curved configurationdirected in the opposite direction of the curved or angled configurationof the shaping member.

4. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the precedingclauses, wherein the second rim part in the second position has a curvedor angled configuration directed in the same direction as the curved orangled configuration, respectively, of the shaping member.

5. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the precedingclauses, wherein the second rim part in the second position has a shapewhich corresponds to the shape of the shaping member.

6. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the precedingclauses, wherein the shaping member extends in the same direction as thefirst rim part.

7. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the precedingclauses, wherein the shaping member comprises a first end, a second endand a centre section in the middle between the first end and second end,and the centre section is located at a distance from a straight lineextending through the first end and second end.

8. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to clause 7, wherein the secondrim part has a length and the distance between the first end and secondend along said straight line is smaller than said length of the secondrim part.

9. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to clause 7 or 8, whereinbesides the first end and second end, the rest of the shaping member islocated at a distance from said straight line.

10. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the clauses 7-9,wherein, when seen in a direction perpendicular to said straight line,the centre section is located at a larger distance from said straightline when compared with the rest of the shaping member.

11. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the precedingclauses, wherein the shaping member has the shape of a continuous curve.

12. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the clauses 1-10,wherein the shaping member comprises at least two member parts extendingunder an angle relative to each other.

13. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the precedingclauses, wherein the shaping member extends along between 35%-50% of thetotal length of the entrance rim.

14. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the precedingclauses, wherein the pouch wall comprises a first wall part and a secondwall part, the first wall part and second wall part are sealed togetherat a first wall rim and a second wall rim, each of the first wall rimand second wall rim extends from the bottom part until the entrance rim,and the shaping member is located in the first wall part.

15. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to clause 14, wherein theshaping member extends along between 75% and 100% of the part of theentrance rim formed by the first wall part.

16. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the precedingclauses, wherein the bottom part comprises a bottom rim surrounding anarea of sheet material.

17. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to clause 16, wherein thebottom rim comprises a first bottom rim part and a second bottom rimpart, each of the first bottom rim part and second bottom rim partextends from the first wall rim until the second wall rim.

18. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the precedingclauses, wherein the bending stiffness of the shaping member is at least2 times larger than the bending stiffness of the sheet material.

19. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the precedingclauses, wherein the tobacco pouch comprises a zip-seal having a firstzip strip and a cooperating second zip strip.

20. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to clause 19, wherein thefirst zip strip is provided near or at the shaping member.

21. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to clause 19 or 20, whereinthe bending stiffness of the shaping member is larger than the bendingstiffness of the first zip strip and larger than the bending stiffnessof the second zip strip.

22. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the clauses 19-21,wherein the bending stiffness of the shaping member is at least 2 timeslarger than the bending stiffness of the first zip strip and at least 2times larger than the bending stiffness of the second zip strip.

23. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the clauses 19-22,wherein the bending stiffness of the first zip strip and the bendingstiffness of the second zip strip are both determined at roomtemperature.

24. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the precedingclauses, wherein the bending stiffness of the shaping member and thebending stiffness of the sheet material are both determined at roomtemperature.

25. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the precedingclauses, wherein the entrance provides access to an inside space of thetobacco pouch, which inside space is defined by the bottom part and thepouch wall, and wherein tobacco is located in said inside space.

26. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the precedingclauses, wherein the tobacco pouch is formed from a single sheet of thesheet material.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications can be made to the self-standing tobacco pouch 1 withoutdeparting from the scope as defined in the claims.

1: A self-standing tobacco pouch formed from a pliable sheet material,said tobacco pouch comprising: a bottom part forming a support foot tostand on a surface; a pouch wall extending from the bottom part to anentrance defined by an entrance rim; and a curved or angled elongateshaping member, which is provided near or at a first rim part of theentrance rim to hold the first rim part in a curved or angledconfiguration; wherein the shaping member has a bending stiffness whichis larger than the bending stiffness of the sheet material; wherein theentrance rim comprises a second rim part located opposite to the firstrim part; and wherein the second rim part is positionable in a firstposition wherein the second rim part is located at a distance from thefirst rim part to form an opened entrance and in a second positionwherein the second rim part is located in contact with the first rimpart to form a closed entrance. 2: The self-standing tobacco pouchaccording to claim 1, wherein the curved or angled elongate shapingmember is configured to hold its curved or angled configuration when thesecond rim part is positioned in the first position and when the secondrim part is positioned in the second position. 3: The self-standingtobacco pouch according to claim 1, wherein the second rim part in thefirst position has a curved configuration directed in the oppositedirection of the curved or angled configuration of the shaping member.4: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 1, wherein thesecond rim part in the second position has a curved or angledconfiguration directed in the same direction as the curved or angledconfiguration, respectively, of the shaping member. 5: The self-standingtobacco pouch according to claim 1, wherein the second rim part in thesecond position has a shape which corresponds to the shape of theshaping member. 6: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 1,wherein the shaping member extends in the same direction as the firstrim part. 7: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 1,wherein the shaping member comprises a first end, a second end and acentre section in the middle between the first end and second end, andthe centre section is located at a distance from a straight lineextending through the first end and second end. 8: The self-standingtobacco pouch according to claim 7, wherein the second rim part has alength and the distance between the first end and second end along saidstraight line is smaller than said length of the second rim part. 9.(canceled)
 10. (canceled) 11: The self-standing tobacco pouch accordingto claim 1, wherein the shaping member has the shape of a continuouscurve. 12: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 1, whereinthe shaping member comprises at least two member parts extending underan angle relative to each other. 13: The self-standing tobacco pouchaccording to claim 1, wherein the shaping member extends along between35% to 50% of the total length of the entrance rim. 14: Theself-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 1, wherein the pouch wallcomprises a first wall part and a second wall part, the first wall partand second wall part are sealed together at a first wall rim and asecond wall rim, each of the first wall rim and second wall rim extendsfrom the bottom part until the entrance rim, and the shaping member islocated in the first wall part.
 15. (canceled) 16: The self-standingtobacco pouch according to claim 1, wherein the bottom part comprises abottom rim surrounding an area of sheet material. 17: The self-standingtobacco pouch according to claim 16, wherein the bottom rim comprises afirst bottom rim part and a second bottom rim part, each of the firstbottom rim part and second bottom rim part extends from the first wallrim until the second wall rim. 18: The self-standing tobacco pouchaccording to claim 1, wherein the bending stiffness of the shapingmember is at least 2 times larger than the bending stiffness of thesheet material. 19: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim1, wherein the tobacco pouch comprises a zip-seal having a first zipstrip and a cooperating second zip strip. 20: The self-standing tobaccopouch according to claim 19, wherein the first zip strip is providednear or at the shaping member. 21: The self-standing tobacco pouchaccording to claim 19, wherein the bending stiffness of the shapingmember is larger than the bending stiffness of the first zip strip andlarger than the bending stiffness of the second zip strip. 22: Theself-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 19, wherein the bendingstiffness of the shaping member is at least 2 times larger than thebending stiffness of the first zip strip and at least 2 times largerthan the bending stiffness of the second zip strip. 23: Theself-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 19, wherein the bendingstiffness of the first zip strip and the bending stiffness of the secondzip strip are both determined at room temperature.
 24. (canceled) 25.(canceled)
 26. (canceled)